The Kent State baseball team played two extra-inning thrillers over spring break. 

They pulled out a victory against Indiana University, 9-8, before falling in the weekend game against Ball State University, 9-8.

The win over the Hooisers improved Kent State’s record to 4-0 against the Big Ten this season 

The game was tied three separate times, with Kent State never trailing.

Indiana gave up 12 walks, hit four batters and committed six errors. 

Freshman pitcher Trevor Pittman made his second career start, allowing two runs and recording five strikeouts over five innings.

Senior Pavin Parks recorded the win. Parks, who started the game at second base, recorded eight strikeouts through four innings. He also lead the offense with three runs of his own. Parks scored the winning run in the 12th inning on a passed ball.

Kent State also traveled to Ball State University in what was supposed to be a three-game series. The teams only faced once due to weather, however.

Kent State trailed going into the ninth-inning in their matchup against the Cardinals. That changed, however, when senior Kian O’Brien tied the game at five with a three-run home run. Senior Josh Hollander followed with a hit by a pitch and scored on a home run by sophomore Alex Ronnebaum to give Kent State a a 7-5 lead. 

The Ball State comeback started with two outs. The Cardinals recorded a pair of hits that tied the game back up, sending Kent State into their second straight extra-inning game.

The score remained until the 12th inning when junior Cam Touchette tourched a double followed by a bunt from freshman Justin Kirby that resulted in Touchette scoring to give the Flashes the lead.

The Cardinals would respond in the bottom half of the inning sending the game to the 13th.

Ball State loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning and recorded the victory on a hit by pitch from junior Justin Schultz, giving Ball State the 9-8 victory.

Senior Connor Wollersheim pitched his longest outing, going seven innings with six strikeouts, but received a no decision.

The Flashes will prepare for a home game this Tuesday against Malone University and will follow that with a road game on Wednesday at Youngstown State before a weekend series against Western Michigan.

Malone University comes into Kent with a 18-10 record, coming off a series win against Lake Erie College.

Youngstown State is currently 4-23 and just finished a series with Wright State University, where the Penguins recorded one win.

The next Mid-American Conference matchup against Western Michigan will be a three-game series. The Broncos hold a 7-17 record and will face Michigan State before coming to Kent for the weekend.

John Conley is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].